PNC Hosts “In Our Own Voice” Presentation March 4

The Purdue University North Central Counseling Center and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will co-sponsoring an “In Our Own Voice” presentation on Tuesday, March 4, at noon in the PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building Assembly Hall, Room 02. The event is free and open to the public.

Refreshments will be served.

In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is an opportunity for those in recovery from a serious mental illness to gain confidence and to share their individual experiences of resilience and transformation. Oftentimes, this participation is a strong factor in the sustainability of their recovery process.

Throughout an IOOV presentation, audience members are encouraged to offer feedback and ask questions. Participation is an important aspect of IOOV – as audience members increase their involvement, they increase their understanding of what it is like to live with a serious mental illness and to live in recovery. IOOV is known as a “stigma buster.” For students and providers in the mental health field, these presentations offer a unique, convenient experiential learning experience that accelerates the ability to treat and relate to those whom they serve.

In Our Own Voice is an important component of efforts to change negative attitudes commonly held about mental illness by both those with mental illness and those in the community. As stigma breaks down and people start to recover, persons dealing with mental illness seek empowered relationships with peers, family and friends who provide critical support. As they speak out, they influence and connect to clinical providers who work with persons and their support networks, not for or against them.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Diana Moryl, PNC director of Student Counseling, at dmoryl@pnc.edu. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Moryl.